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Author
Topic: PEP (Read 8942 times)

Hello, I just had a few questions...Last night I received oral sex from another male and his teeth caused small abrasions on the glans of my penis. They did not bleed, but the skin became slightly inflamed and appeared to cause a "blood blister" (it appeared slightly violet) that was gone this morning, though a much improved reddish area remained. I did not discover any blood in my boxers and there does not seem to be a cut, but it is possible of course it is not visible to the naked eye. I immediately washed the area and urinated after the oral sex was performed. I am unsure of his status as well as whether or not he had open sores in his mouth. Is there a reason to be concerned as well as a reason to be tested? If so, what are the chances of transmission via this expsoure?

A more general question:As I understand, HIV is more prevalent among the African American population. Is this due to a lifestyle difference or a genetic susceptibility?

Receiving oral sex is not and never has been a risk for HIV transmission. Please read our Welcome Thread to learn more about how HIV is and is not transmitted.

That said, sexually active people should have a full STD screen at least twice a year. All full STD screen includes an HIV antibody test. Others STD's, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and genital herpes are much more prevalent and contagious than HIV. If you've not had a full screen for a while or if you've not had one at all you might consider making an appointment with your doctor or local clinic.

One other thing, HIV is colour blind. It doesn't care who you are, it cares about what you do. African-Americans (or any other racial/cultural grouping) do not have any "genetic susceptibility" to HIV infection.

Hi, I am worried sick now...I saw my primary care physician today because my throat has been sore and my eczema has gone haywire. He asked if I had been tested for HIV recently. I was tested and clean in August. However, his conrcern has caused a huge concern on my own part. I have never had unprotected anal sex nor have I used any kind of drugs. I have had a few incidents where transmission may be possible but highly unlikely. I have limited my sexual behavior to a minimum since I was 16 and have not engaged in any high risk activities. I am highly concerned because he mentioned this. I have been extremely stressed lately because I have 3 exams and 2 papers due next week and Im just now getting over bronchitis, which may be the reasons for my medical problems. I need some form of support or advice... can anyone help me?

You should have ask the doctor why he/she thought you needed to be tested. You didn't have a risk. Read the "Welcome" thread and follow the link in lessons to transmission. You are spending valuable time worrying about a non risk situation when you could be applying it to your studies.

If your doctor knows you are gay, that might be why he asked you about testing. Even though it would be good practice for doctors to ask ALL their patients that question, unfortunately some doctors buy into the myth that only gay men are at risk.

By the way, you say you were "clean" in August. Have you had a shower or bath since then? To use the term "clean" to describe your hiv status implies that those of us who ARE hiv positive are dirty. This is highly insulting so please think about your choice of words in future. Thanks.

You didn't have a risk of hiv infection when you got that blowjob.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

Use condoms for intercourse and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Tonight I contacted the CDC with a few questions regarding HIV. According to them, HIV can be transmitted through receiving oral sex via passage through the urethra. From the literature that I have read and my own knowledge, this seems to be a little out there. You guys claim it is not a route of transmission, who do I believe? My throat is still hurting today. I have no other symptoms of a possible infection aside from my eczema being severe right now. I purchased an HIV home test kit tonight, but I am questionsing if it is too soon to be tested. I am thinking it isn't since "symptoms" are a result of seroconversion. Could someone help me out? Additionally, I sincerely apologize for my poor usage and misuse of terminology, my intentions were never to offend anyone in the previous post. I had seen the term "clean" used in many other places and it therefore seemed acceptable. However, I realize now it is not and again, I apologize.

Getting a blowjob is not a risk for hiv infection. Not one person has ever become infected that way and you won't be the first.

As for the CDC - they're a part of the US government. Have you noticed how the current administration clings to hiv prevention policies that don't work, like abstinence only? They've got a moral agenda, pure and simple. We don't. We go by facts, they go by religious dogma much of the time. The current administration is fast becoming known for their lies. Need I say more?

Use condoms for intercourse and you will avoid hiv infection, no matter what anti-sex propaganda comes out of the current administration in the White House.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I read in another post that seroconversion occurs on average at 22 days from exposure, I'm at around 20 days since the blowjob described above and have a sore throat for no reason. This makes me nervous and If in the case I were to be seroconverting, this test would let me know that if I took it today, 4 days after the mysterious sore throat started?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Hey guys, I just received negative test results for my the home access test. I had been experiencing for 4 days (and still am) a sore throat. Had this been due to a recent infection of HIV, regardless of my risk factors, would this be too soon for the test to detect antibodies? In other words, if I was showing "symptoms" due to serconversion and tested for antibodies during this period, would it be too soon? I am sorry for any inconvenience, but thanks again!

Hi, last night I went to have anal sex ( I was the insertive partner) and not enough lube was used causing the condom to break as I started penetration. Very little of my penis was inside (probably not even the entire head) and I removed it immediately, washed and urinated. Previously, there had been no penetration so I doubt there was any risk of blood involved. Am I at risk?

Technically that was a risky incident when the condom broke. However, given what you have described including the brevity of the incident and you being the insertive partner, which makes the risk even lower, I would say that you will come out of this ok as far as HIV is concerned.

Just for your own peace of mind I suggest you get tested at 13 weeks and collect the inevitable negative result.

In the future, make sure you are using latex condoms which fit you properly.

Just wondering, how is it HIV is transmitted through insertive anal sex? Is there HIV present in the rectum and colon or does transmission occur due to ruptured tissue within the large intestine leading to bleeding? Thanks for your help!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Hi, what are the chances statistically of me contracting HIV through this incident? Would you suggest PEP or are the chances too low? I remember reading somwhere 1 in 3000 for insertive anal sex? So I am assuming the chances would be much lower due to the brevity of the incident. Does anyone else have additional input on this incident?

Considering the condom broke before you were even really inside, and you stopped immediately, then it's highly unlikely that you would have become infected.

If you had carried on regardless of the broken condom AND the guy was definitely hiv poz, then PEP MIGHT be warranted. PEP is not something to be taken lightly. It also must be initiated within 72 hours of the incident, but within 36 hours is better.

I really don't think you have anything to worry about in this instance, but as Andy has told you, you would be wise to test for your own peace of mind.

Please read through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can prevent this happening to you again. A correctly used condom rarely breaks.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Hi, for my own peace of mind around the holiday season, I was considering getting tested at a little less than 8 weeks. As I understand, 13 weeks- 6 months is recommended, but I also read that for most people, seroconversion occurs between 4-6 weeks. How accurately would a test at about 8 weeks reflect my status? I would of course be tested again at 13 weeks for certainty. Thanks!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

The other night I was at the beach and got highly intoxicated at the local bar. I ended up going back to my hotel with a guy and proceeded to mess around. While I only remember bits and pieces, I do remember him getting on top of me after using vaseline to masturbate me. During kissing, he stuck my penis into his rectum without giving me warning and without a condom. Before I had time to react, my entire penis was in him. However, as soon as it happened I pulled out and refused to have sex without a condom. We continued to kiss and he tried a couple other times, though as far as I can recall, there was little, if any penetration in those instances. I got a condom, though we did not have sex ultimately. There was also some oral involved. A previous incident had happened to me similar to this with a condom that busted where penetration was very brief. I was told the chances of contracting HIV were negligible and wondered if the same was true for this incident. It has been a little over 24 hours. Thanks for your help!

Let's see. First off, as you recount, the risk of HIV transmission was definitely slight for both of you and nearly zero for you as the active (your penis, his rectum) partner. You were both at risk for other STDs which I think you know, and they can be easy to acquire. Despite your best efforts, it appears things happen differently when you are sober than when you are high. Think on that as well. Educate yourself further on risk reduction, and continue to use condoms. -megasept

Just as a precaution I would recommend getting tested at 13 weeks. The risk was indeed low since it was a very brief incident, but low risk is not the same as no risk. I would certainly expect you to test negative.

Since you're sexually active it would be a good idea to have a full STD panel done regularly. That means annually and every six months is even better.

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

On New Year's day, I had receptive anal sex with another male for the first time in 6 years. He claims he always practices safe sex and was tested sometime during the summer of 2007. Initially, a condom was used. He then pulled out and the condom was on during this time. I got lost in the moment and he reinserted his penis. I am concerned that before reinserting his penis, he removed the condom, though the only thing that leads me to believe this is that when i looked again after he pulled out the second time, was that he no longer had the condom on and was masturbating. The second insertion was for approximately 20-30 seconds and he did not ejaculate. From what I can tell, he precums very little, if at all. I am lost as to what do at this point and wondered what my options are (PEP, etc.)?

Once again, I've merged your threads. Please read the posting guidelines found in the Welcome Thread and get with the program.

You certainly don't need PEP over this incident. Why would he pull the condom off before going back inside you? You say he always practices safer sex; he doesn't want hiv - or any other infections - either.

You can test at the three month point if you want to, but I fully expect you to test negative again.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Well, I was more concerned in that there was not a reason for him to pull out when he did. Also, I do not know him well enough to know how truthful he was being about his sex life/HIV status. Therefore, I was somewhat concerned, especially when I learned later the frequency that he had sexual encounters with other men. Would that change anything regarding this situation?

Provided he used a condom when he fucked you it wouldn't matter if he'd been banged by every man in the northern hemisphere.

Like Ann I can see no reason to think this fellow took the condom off in the middle of the shag, If you're concerned about it, however, then get tested in three months. You've been around here since 2006, you should already know this stuff.

Like Ann and Matty I don't see any reason to believe the fellow swiftly removed the condom and then reinserted himself briefly in you. Doesn't make any kind of sense.

Since you hadn't had receptive anal in quite a while I suspect this is really more about your anxiety about that rather than any real risk in this specific situation. Condoms provide very effective protection so even if you were with the whoremaster of Babylon you'd still be well protected.

I don't see cause for further concern about HIV in relation this incident.

Hi, last night I was giving oral sex to my partner. I have encouraged him to get tested, but he has not yet. However, when he was about to ejaculate, I did not hear him tell me and some semen got into my mouth. I rinsed immediately with water and mouth wash. MY gums did not appear to be bleeding, but slightly inflamed. Is there a need to be tested for this incident or take further actions? Thanks!

Hey guys, last night I had an incident where the condom busted and I am unsure of my partner's status, though it is questionable. Immediately, I went to the local ER. There, the doctor decided that it would be in my best interest to start me on PEP, again. I just finished my first PEP a month ago after a previous incident that was very similar. During the first treatment, I was given a Truvada/Kaletra combo that I completed. However, I missed a few doses of the Kaletra while on it (around 8 tablets). After I finished the Truvada, I continued with the Kaletra to finish the missed doses. My new PEP is a combo of Combivir/Kaletra. However, the dosage of Kaletra is larger (200/50) and I am taking 150/300 of Combivir. Should I speak with a physician about using something other than Kaletra since I have taken it before and there was some inconsistency involved with its usage? Any advice you may have would be great. Thanks!

I removed your post from the forum meant for positive people only where you posted it and merged it here, in the only thread you should be posting in.

If you were the insertive partner, you are wasting your time and money being on PEP.

You should not be using PEP as a substitute for the proper use of condoms. Correctly used condoms rarely break. Read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can avoid mishaps in future.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts